Mysore Maharaja Palace Sound and Light Show Timings

Additional Info

The Palace has four entrance, Main entrance is called “Jaya Maarthaanda” to east, “Jayarama” to North,”Balarama” to South, “Varaha” to west. Public Entry is from Varaha Gate.

Photography inside Mysuru Main Palace is strictly prohibited

Audio Kit Facility for Indians with additional cost. For Foreign Visitors its included in Entrance Fee

Audio Kit are available at Mysuru Palace in the following Languages: English, Hindi, Kan, Germany, Italy, Japan, France

A living exemplary of Mysore kingdom and undying spirit of its people, Mysore Maharaja Palace (Kannada: ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಹಾರಾಜ ಅರಮನೆ) still stands majestically, captivating every visitor with its incomparable beauty and undefeatable strength. Standing impressively in the heart of Mysore city, this palace is said to the one of the largest palaces in India. Mysore palace is the official residence of Wadiyars, the royal family of Mysore.

Also known as Amba Vilas Palace, the present structure is the fourth version of the Mysore palace. It was designed by the eminent British architect Henry Irwin and was completed in 1912, under the supervision of Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vani Vilasa Sanndihana.

History of the Mysore Palace

The history of Mysore palace goes back to 14th century when the first structure was laid out. It is said that the very first Mysore Palace of Wodeyars, royal family of Mysore, was built with wood which unfortunately was struck by lightning in the year of 1638. Hence, a new palace with many added features, extensive pavilions and buildings was built reconstructed by Kantirava Narasaraja Wodeyar.

The renovated palace boasted of great architecture and captivating looks. However, this too was short-lived as unfortunate death of Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673 - 1704 AD) lead to a period of political instability in the kingdom. This was during the 18th century, when Mysore Palace was captured by Tipu Sultan who was the son of Hyder Ali. During this period (1793) the palace saw complete neglect and deteriorated further.

Later, with the death of Tipu Sultan, the royal family of Mysore again gained the control of the kingdom and the palace. In 1799, five year old Krishnaraja Wodeyar III took hold of throne (1794-1868). Soon after the coronation ceremony, a new commission was passed for renovating the Mysore Palace. The new structure which was third version of the original palace was completed in 1803. It was designed in the Hindu architectural style.

However, the palace faced a misfortunate incident again in 1897. During the wedding of princess Jayalakshmmanni, who was the eldest daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar, the palace caught fire and was burnt completely. It was then transferred to the Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, who assigned a British architect Henry Irwin to build the Mysore Maharaja Palace, which is now the current building. This fourth structure of the palace was completed in 1912 and costed about Rs.41, 47,913 then. This masterpiece was built with the intention to pay homage to the Mysore kingdom, its traditions, and the Wadiyar/ Wodeyar Family.

Architecture of the Palace

The present building of Mysore Palace was completed in 1912. Mysore Palace mesmerizes everyone with its magnificent architecture. Known as Indo-Saracenic, a beautiful blend of Hindu, Islamic, Rajput, and Gothic architectural style which the palace represents has been alluring watchers since time immemorial.

Surrounded with an aesthetically designed vast garden, the palace is three storied building, built with stone and marble domes. It also has five-storied tower with a height of 145 feet. The most striking feature of the palace, its deep pink marble domes on top of grey granite three stories building, was designed by Henry Irwin. Its portico is designed with seven vast arches while the central arch is bordered by two smaller arches, surrounded by tall beautiful pillars.

The palace radiates magnanimity, courage and love in its every part, which is the associated with the emergence of Wadiyar, or Yadu dynasty, which came to rule Mysore for almost 6 centuries.

The temple, at the eastern gate of palace also speaks of the emergence of Wadiyar dynasty. This Kodi Bhyraveswara temple is said to be a witness of the dramatic events that happened in 1399 AD, when two princes, Vijaya and Krishna of the Yadu dynasty of Dwaraka (Gujarat) happened to hear the agony of the Princess Devajammanni, upon the death of the local ruler Chamaraja. Princess and her mother were facing a lot of troubles due to Chief of Karugahalli, Maranayaka who wished to capture the place. The two princes, helped the princess in defeating Maranayaka, and later elder brother, Vijaya married the princess, which led to the beginning of Wadiyar Dynasty.

The palace has many prominent rooms and places, each boasting of exceptional beauty. Public Durbar Hall is one of the most popular features of the Mysore Palace. It was used by kings to host various ceremonial meetings. At the entrance of Durbar hall, a life size plaster of Paris statue of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV has been placed, which was crafted by B. Basavaiah who was the palace artist. Next to it is the photograph of Jamedar Peer Bait, who was his favorite helper. Corners of the halls are decorated with French lamp stands. The durbar hall presents a mesmerizing beauty with its marble floor, varied decorated corridors, walls adorned with paintings from Hindu mythological epics, portraits of royal family members, God and Goddess, etc. Each painting seems to speak tales of Royal family and Mysore historical splendor. Vast mirrors on the walls add on to the overall beauty of the hall.

Private Durbar (Ambavilasa Palace) is another place to see at Mysore Palace. Used by the Kings for private meetings, it also presents a spectacular architectural beauty with mesmerizing interiors. Beautifully carved rosewood doorway ornamented with ivory, hall decorated with stained glass ceilings, golden columns, captivating chandeliers with floral motifs, pietra dura mosaic floor makes this one of the most beautiful rooms of the palace.

Another place to see at Mysore palace, Kalyana Mantapa is the place where royal weddings and other important functions used to be organized. It is an octagonal shaped hall, decorated with paintings on its corridors. Paintings display a range of function of the royal family such as Dussehra procession, birthday procession of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, Durga Puja or Ayudha Pooja, car festival of Goddess Chamundeshwari along with Krishna Janmastami celebration. The ceilings of stained glass, adorned with peacock and floral motifs, magnificent chandelier, mosaic tiled floor make the hall look even more beautiful.

Doll’s Pavilion or Gombe Thotti is unique place which displays an excellent collection of dolls from 19th and early 20th century. These are traditional dolls. This pavilion also has a wide array of sculptures, both Indian and European along with ceremonial items. One such item is the wooden elephant howdah which has been ornamented with about 84 kilograms of gold. Another place in the Mysore Palace for art lovers is the Portrait Gallery, consisting of various painting of the royal Wadiyar family. Located on the southern section of Kalyana Mantapa, this gallery displays a range of paintings and photographs of the royal family such as Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV portrait, black and white images of Jayacharamajra Wadiyar’s wedding to a Jaipur princess along with works of well-known royal artist Raja Ravi Varma.

Temples at Mysore Palace

Another most attractive feature of Mysore palace is the temple. Its complex houses many Hindu temples, which are now protected under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. The oldest temple in Mysore is located in the Mysore Palace, in its western part. Sri Lakshmi Ramana Swami Temple is said to have immense power as there are legends according to which a blind man was cured to his blindness at this temple in 1599. This is also mentioned in the Mysore Royal family records. In this temple ceremonies related to Raja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III child coronation were also conducted during 1799. Kodi Bhairava Swamy Temple is another important temple in the palace. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the form of Bhairava.

Located next to the South gate of the palace is the Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple. This temple presents a glimpse into the ancient architecture. It has been constructed in the style of the Hoysala Empire. Another temple which is inside the fort is the Sri Trinayaneshvara Swami Temple. This ancient temple was initially outside the original Mysore palace. However, later when the palace was enlarged the temple came within the Palace boundaries.

Sri Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna was built by the Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1829. As the Mysore Wadiyar dynasty is said to have its routes in Yadu Vamsa, the temple was constructed to respect the legacy. Kille Venkatramana Swamy Temple is said to have high religious significance for the royal family. It was during the time of Tipu Sultan rule, when Queen Lakshmammanni, wife of Krishnaraja Wadiyar II, based on her dreams where Lord Venkataramana has instructed her to bring his statue from Balamuri, had brought the statue of the lord and consecrated in the temple. It is said to have brought good luck to the dynasty. On the northern side of the Palace is the Sri Bhuvaneshwari Temple which was built by Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1951. While in the southeast corner is the Sri Gayatri Temple built by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1953.

Festivals at the Mysore Palace

Another attractive feature of the Mysore Maharaja Palace is the list of the special events that are organized here. The world famous and Mysore Dussera Festival is held at the Mysore Palace. During this extravagant festival of Mysore Dasara, stages are being set up in the palace ground where many famous artists perform. One the 10th day, when the festival of Dashami is celebrated, a parade with is highly ornamented elephants is conducted from the palace grounds. The festive fervor during this time at the palace and in Mysore is something that every traveler must experience at least once. It mostly occurs during the month of November or October.

During this festival, the Palace is lit with more than 96,000 lights for two months, which add an incomparable charm to the grand palace of Mysore.

Along with festival, another best time to visit the place is in night on Sundays and public holidays, from 7 PM to 7.45 PM, when the palace is illuminated. Except on Sundays and public holidays, sound and light programs are also conducted; the timings are from 7 PM to 7.45 PM.